Are macOS and iPadOS becoming one? Not exactly, but the arrival of Universal Control on iPadOS 15.4 Beta and macOS Monterey 12.3 Beta pierces the thinning barrier between the two.
The update, which may take weeks to arrive for general download, connects a Mac and iPad and creates an open road for your cursor to travel from one interface to the other without breaking a sweat.
There are some small hoops to jump through, like signing in to all the devices with the same Apple ID and verifying that you want to connect these systems, but you only do that once. After that, Universal Control gives you a double-wide desktop, albeit one with some significant limitations.
Universal Control might remind some of Apple’s Sidecar for macOS, which Apple introduced a few years ago. It’s similar but less of a two-way street than Universal Control. It extended the Mac desktop onto the iPad, which more or less put the iPadOS to sleep in the background. It was a bit more than that, though, in that you could use your finger on the iPad like a mouse and, if you had an Apple Pencil, use it to draw on some macOS apps much in the same way you would on an iPad.
After I installed the latest development betas and set up my iPad Pro 12.9 and MacBook Air M1 with the Universal Control, I found I could instantly move my cursor on the Mac to the left, see a little control bar appear along the edge of my iPad display (it appears only upon the initial connection), and slip right through the ether to the iPad screen. After that, the door is more a less open for dual-platform operations. I can even grab, say, an image and drag it from the Photo app on the Mac into Procreate running on the iPad. I could not, however, drag and drop images from my Mac desktop into a Mail window open on the iPad. They would drag to the screen, but then disappear instead of appearing in the message.
There’s still the ability to extend or mirror your Mac display onto the iPad, though it’s hidden under Advanced settings. This offers the added benefit of being able to drag over complete application windows from one screen to the other. When I use Universal Control to move my mouse between platforms, it puts the iPad to the left of my Mac. Switching to screen extension expands the Mac display on the opposite side.
Screen extension also turned off the iPad’s Magic Keyboard trackpad but, like Sidecar, it still lets me use the Apple Pencil. I can even enable the Pencil’s double tap in the settings.
In Universal Control’s “Linked Keyboard and Mouse Mode” I can also use the keyboard on the Mac to take notes on Note on the iPad, while also using the same keyboard to take notes in another instance of Notes on the Mac. That’s an instant doubling of my productivity power. I can do it in reverse, as well, using the iPad's Magic Keyboard to type on either screen.
The ability to connect the two disparate OSes and use one keyboard and mouse to control all of it is, as some have noted, magical. It’s also still limited. Until I can drag complete windows and Mac or iPad Apps from one screen to the other, this universe will still feel relatively small.
It’s early days, of course. The beta’s not done, and Apple may refine and add some features before it arrives as a fully baked set of updates.
Ever since Apple started positioning the iPad as a productivity tool and not simply a content consumption device, it’s been transforming iPadOS – like adding mouse and trackpad support – to better support that notion.
Universal Control is another exciting, big step in a long-term effort to make the marriage between iPad OS and macOS seamless.
Will they ever become one platform? I think it’s still too soon to tell.
Alexa can help you work out with these voice-controlled adjustable dumbbells
NordicTrack from iFit has just unveiled a pair of brand new adjustable dumbbells that are compatible with the Alexa voice assistant .
The NordicTrack iSelect adjustable dumbbells can be changed from five to 50lbs per dumbbell in just a few seconds by returning them to their case and issuing a voice command to your Amazon Echo smart speaker .
Simple commands like "Alexa, set weights to 40 pounds" or “Alexa, decrease weights to 15 pounds” can be requested, but you can also preset weights for 15 common dumbbell exercises, ready for Alexa to set the weight for bicep curls or squats among other routines.
You can also adjust the weights yourself by using a mechanical knob if you want to.
Beyond their voice-controlled features, you’ll find that these dumbbells also have a curved handle for improved grip and use square weights for added stability while performing floor-based exercises. So these dumbbells aren’t just fashionable, they're functional too.
Given that adjustable dumbbells are already a preferred option for fitness buffs who don’t want to be inconvenienced by having loads of individual dumbbells lying around, these smart dumbbells look like an even more enticing offer.
Rather than having to think about whether you’ve adjusted the weights correctly you can focus on what matters most: the workout.
Unfortunately though, all of this comes at a cost as a pair of NordicTrack iSelect adjustable dumbbells will set you back $429 on Amazon if you want to buy them today. This isn’t the most expensive pair of adjustable dumbbells we can find, but you’ll be able to save a fair amount if you’re willing to adjust your weights manually.
There's a sweetener though - if you choose to opt for NordicTrack’s smart dumbbells you’ll also get a free one-month subscription to iFit, a fitness subscription service that offers workout routines that are compatible with your new gear.
After the trial period has ended iFit will set you back $39 per month (plus tax) though you won’t need a subscription to keep using your NordicTrack dumbbells.
Right now the NordicTrack iSelect adjustable dumbbells are only available in the US. However we have reached out to find if there are plans to launch this gadget elsewhere in the world and will update if we hear word back on a wider roll-out.
NFL Wild Card Weekend live stream: how to watch 2022 playoffs online without cable, schedule, predictions, TV channel
It's time to watch the Super Bowl 2022 live stream after an NFL playoffs to remember. Underdogs rose and favorites fell, and chaos ensued! Don't miss a moment of the action.
Las Vegas and Pittsburgh made the cut by the skin of their teeth but the Bengals bested the former on Saturday while the Steelers head to the Chiefs late tonight.
Sunday, so far, has seen the Pats get smashed on road at their bitter AFC East rivals, the Bills. In the NFC West, it's the Cardinals and the Rams on Monday. Kliff Kingsbury and Sean McVay are already under pressure, and one of them will have huge questions to answer when their team falls out of contention.
The Eagles can hurt anyone on their day with that awesome ground game and they may fancy their chances against Tom Brady's defending champions, while Dak Prescott is scorching right now, and will be confident of leading the Cowboys to victory over the Niners.
It's sudden death with all to play for, and here's how to watch an NFL Wild Card Weekend live stream for all of them wherever you are, and all the info you need on the NFL Wild Card Weekend schedule, predictions and the knowledge for rookie watcher on just what is an NFL Wild Card.
What is an NFL Wild Card?
The playoffs only have space for 14 teams, and eight of those spots are taken by each of the division champions. The remaining six are reserved for the wild cards. These are the best of the rest, the teams that weren't consistently good enough to win their respective divisions, but did just enough to make the cut.
On Wild Card Weekend, the wild cards have to play road games against their conference's No.2, No.3 and No.4 seeds, with the lowest-ranked wild card getting the toughest draw. Seven Wild Card teams have gone on to win the Super Bowl, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season.
NFL Wild Card Weekend schedule
Saturday, January 15
Raiders vs Bengals: 4.30pm ET / 1.30pm PT / 9.30pm GMT / 8.30am AEDT
Patriots vs Bills: 8.15pm ET / 5.15pm PT / 1.15am GMT / 12.15pm AEDT
Sunday, January 16
Eagles vs Buccaneers: 1pm ET / 10am PT / 6pm GMT / 5am AEDT
49ers vs Cowboys: 4.30pm ET / 1.30pm PT / 9.30pm GMT / 8.30am AEDT
Steelers vs Chiefs: 8.15pm ET / 5.15pm PT / 1.15am GMT / 12.15pm AEDT
Monday, January 17
Cardinals vs Rams: 8.15pm ET / 5.15pm PT / 1.15pm GMT / 12.15pm AEDT
NFL Wild Card Weekend live streams
Saturday, January 15
Raiders vs Bengals : NBC / Peacock / Sling / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | Sky / NFL Game Pass (UK) | Kayo Sports / NFL Game Pass (AU)
Patriots vs Bills : CBS / Paramount Plus / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | Sky / NFL Game Pass (UK) | Kayo Sports / NFL Game Pass (AU)
Sunday, January 16
Eagles vs Buccaneers : Fox / Sling / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | Sky / NFL Game Pass (UK) | Kayo Sports / NFL Game Pass (AU)
49ers vs Cowboys : Amazon / CBS / Nickelodeon / Paramount Plus / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | Sky / NFL Game Pass (UK) | Kayo Sports / NFL Game Pass (AU)
Steelers vs Chiefs : NBC / Peacock / Sling / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | Sky / NFL Game Pass (UK) | Kayo Sports / NFL Game Pass (AU)
Monday, January 17
Cardinals vs Rams: ABC / ESPN / Sling / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | Sky / NFL Game Pass (UK) | Kayo Sports / NFL Game Pass (AU)
NFL Wild Card Predictions
Raiders vs Bengals
The Raiders made the playoffs in sensational style and have been springing surprises all season long, but without the Allegiant crowd at their backs, the high-flying Bengals win their first playoff game in over three decades.
Patriots vs Bills
The Bills are on an upward trajectory while the Patriots' form has dipped, but these teams have played each other twice in the past six weeks, and on both occasions there was very little between them. The weather could favor New England, but Buffalo learn from their mistakes.
Eagles vs Buccaneers
The Eagles are the NFL's ultimate rushing team, but there are few better at stopping the run than the Bucs defense. Tom Brady leads the reigning champs to victory, but Jalen Hurts keeps things close.
49ers vs Cowboys
Arguably the game of the round, Dak Prescott is firing on all cylinders, but the Dallas defense is extremely vulnerable against the run right now. Deebo Samuel and George Kittle are the 49ers' stars, but their running backs will be key.
Steelers vs Chiefs
Ben Roethlisberger earned his encore, but he might come to regret it against the Chiefs, who haven't been entirely convincing of late but should have more than enough for Pittsburgh, unless T.J. Watt and the Steelers D can shut down Patrick Mahomes.
Cardinals vs Rams
A strange game between two teams who have been crumbling fast. Matthew Stafford's confidence looked shot to pieces, but without DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk is going to have to step up for Kyler Murray who is bound to come under heavy pressure from the Rams' superstar defense.
How to watch NFL Wild Card Weekend from outside your country
If you're away on vacation or for business and want to watch your home NFL coverage from abroad, then you'll need to use a VPN . This will help you dial in to a location back in your home country to avoid geo-blocks and regain access to the content and services you already pay for back home.
A VPN is generally perfect for this as it allows you to change your IP address so you appear to be in a completely different location when the big game is on.
Use a VPN to watch NFL Wild Card Weekend from anywhere
NFL Wild Card Weekend: live stream with and without cable in the US
NFL Wild Card Weekend live stream in Canada
How to watch NFL Wild Card Weekend: live stream American Football in the UK
NFL Wild Card Weekend: live stream NFL in Australia
What else can I use a VPN for other than watching NFL games?
Virtual Private Networks are very versatile. As well as letting you watch sport and TV from around the world, their encrypted nature means that the information you exchange on a daily basis online is kept safely away from prying eyes. And streaming VPNs also help to get around website blocking in certain offices, schools and even countries.
But even if you're away from your home coverage, you can always use a VPN to dial back into your country that does have a stream. A VPN is perfect for this as it allows you to change your IP address so you appear to be in a completely different location. We've tested hundreds of VPNs and can recommend these as the currently available: